THE SUPERICORNIA. 391 



brambles^ we may always find in the smnmer months 

 a yellowish-brown, flat, oblong Bug, about half an 

 inch in length, with the margins of the abdomen pro- 

 jecting considerably beyond the hem elytra on each 

 side. The back of the abdomen under the wings is 

 bright red, as are also the second and third joints 

 of the four-jointed antennae, whilst the terminal joint, 

 which is slightly thickened, is black. The sides of the 

 thorax are considerably dilated, and close to the base 

 of each antenna there is a small point or spine directed 

 inwards, so that the tips of the two spines converge. 



This insect, the Syromastes marginatus, is the type 

 of the second tribe of Bugs, to which the name of 

 SuPERicoRNiA has been given, from the circumstance 

 that the antennae are always inserted above an ima- 

 ginary line drawn from the eyes to the base of the 

 rostrum. In these insects the rostrum is composed 

 of four joints, as are also the antennae; the crown of 

 the head bears a pair of ocelli, a considerable interval 

 exists between the tip of the scutellum and the base 

 of the hemelytral membrane, and the latter exhibits 

 numerous nervures. 



Like the preceding tribe, this has its head-quarters 

 in warm climates, where the species are not only 

 more numerous, but attain a much larger size than 

 those of more temperate regions ; and although few of 

 them are distinguished by brilliant colours, many of 

 the exotic species are amongst the most singular- 

 looking creatures belonging to this order. They all 

 live upon plants, the juices of which they suck, but 

 several species, generally of small size and of a very 

 flattened form, reside under the bark of trees. 



Amongst the British species, the one above referred 

 to is perhaps the most common, but one or two nearly 



